AREA Program

Animal Research Education and Awareness (AREA) Program

Since 1995, the AALAS volunteers have conducted the Animal Research Education and Awareness Program in conjunction with the AALAS National Meeting.

This enlightening and entertaining program has introduced thousands of high school science students and teachers to laboratory animal science and the vast array of career opportunities in biomedical research.

Fueled by the passionate financial support of Pfizer, the AREA program is a prime example of how AALAS and the AALAS Foundation are striving to educate the next generation of leaders about the essential role of animals in research, education, and product safety testing.

Based on the success of the AREA Program at the AALAS National Meeting, many AALAS branches throughout the country have hosted similar programs at branch and district meetings.

This guide is designed to provide AALAS branches with the information and resources needed to conduct a successful AREA Program. Sign up to serve as a Tour Guide or be an Exhibitor stop in our scavenger hunt at the 2020 National Meeting AREA Program in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Must be a registered attendee of the 2020 AALAS National Meeting to participate.)

                                                                                                       

The Importance of Public Outreach

The health of laboratory animal science tomorrow depends on improved science preparation of our students today.

Nothing is more essential to the health of biomedical research than human resources — the people we are counting on to produce the next generation of knowledge and products in laboratory animal science.

We must, as an industry, continuously promote the benefits of biomedical research to preserve public support for animal research and maintain a steady flow of talent into the nation’s science workforce.

The AREA program not only provides students with authentic information about the care and use of animals in research, but also gives students the opportunity to interact with dozens of passionate laboratory animal science professionals.

This interaction drives home the fact that AALAS members are compassionate professionals who are dedicated to providing the best possible care to the animals that are enabling us to advance human and animal health.

Participating in the AREA program is a great way to advance students’ understanding, respect, and support for the critical role of laboratory animal science and the people who work in this field, and it’s a fun way to make an impact on the lives of young people interested in science and medicine.

Branch AREA Programs
Conducting the AREA program at your next branch or district meeting is a great way to advance students’ understanding, respect, and support for laboratory animal science. It’s also a fun way to make an impact on the lives of young people interested in science and medicine.

With the help of Pfizer, the AALAS Foundation is now able to offer complimentary AREA Program resources to help your branch conduct this important program in your community.

The AREA Program Guide-  contains complete instructions on how to conduct this tried-and-true program. The guide includes everything you need – from student invitations to links to PowerPoint presentations – to make this an easy and rewarding experience for your branch members and AREA Program participants. You may also find the slides to the “2016 National Meeting Branch AREA Program Training Workshop” helpful.

In addition to the step-by-step guide, AALAS also offers–if available–free AREA Program backpacks, notebooks, pens, and Foundation outreach materials.

The strength of laboratory animal science tomorrow depends on improved science preparation of students today. Your branch can contribute to efforts to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s laboratory animal science professionals by conducting the AREA Program.

Program Funding
The AREA Program is a relatively low-cost event. Most branch AREA Program expenditures are limited to lunch for program participants, printing costs, and meeting room expenses.

Some branches chose to recruit sponsors to cover these expenses. Others go the extra mile and reimburse schools for transportation expenses related to the event.

Pfizer Branch AREA Program Fund
Pfizer has established a Branch AREA Program Fund. A limited number of grants are available to AALAS Branches interested in conducting the AREA program.  Here are the guidelines for submitting a application for funding.

The AALAS Foundation staff is available to help you plan your AREA Program. Please contact the AALAS Foundation at foundation@aalas.org or 901-754-8620 if you would like help planning your AREA Program.